Janus

"What could rival the Cahill Master Serum?" snapped Cora Wizard.

"It is classified information-" began the man, before he was interrupted by Cora.

"I am the leader of the Janus branch. What could be so classified that I wouldn't have access to it?"

"Cora. It is not merely a question of rank," the man stated. He made it clear that the matter was settled.

"Yes, Mr. Alexander," she said through grinding teeth.

"Good. Now Jonah, you have been chosen for the task ahead."

"W-why me?" Jonah asked utterly confused. He assumed it was quite evident he failed the hunt for the 39 Clues, so why give him another job.

"It might become evident when you choose to accept." Mr. Alexander said it so surely, anyone would believe it was true (even Jonah felt he did). Mr. Alexander reached into his jacket, pulling out a few papers. He unfolded them and held them out towards Jonah.

"These should explain a few things." Jonah took the paper and started to read the inky script on the aged paper.

Dear Jane,

I miss you, much more than I can say. I cannot bare to stay away longer. The Mistress sails well, but that may just be due to such mild conditions. Which is what arouses my fears, a storm will approach. I can sense it, dear Jane. But, do not worry for me. Never forget, I am a veteran of many stormy battles between sea and ship.

I hope you find what you are searching for in Italy. Here on the Atlantic, there has not been much but subtle signs and encouragement from intuition. These waters are beautiful and the skies are even more so. Perhaps, when this is all over, you shall sail with me on these waters. My crew mates are all greedy and dishonorable. But they were crazy enough to go forth on this expedition. Can you believe that that is how far their greed extends?

I want to ask how your hunt fairs, but I can't yet face this truth. You have gone to find your treasure, and I mine. How harshly we have been separated. But promise to me, as I do to you, that we will meet where the stars have rained from the heavens and rejoiced, when our missions are complete. I hope your path has been smoother than mine. I think of you every night.

Yours truly,

David Jones

"This guy was head over heels for Jane, wasn't he?" Jonah asked. He was surprised when Mr. Alexander's eyes softened for just a moment, before turning hard again.

"You could say that, yes. Read the next one." Jonah shuffled to the next letter.

Dear David,

You coming home safe is all I need right now. My foolish siblings know nothing of the world's treasure and beauty. We'll see each other one day soon. And I will uphold your promise as long as I live and love. While my family fades away, we strengthen in hope. And while their desperation for the Serum grows, we know we have the one ally they don't: time. You will accomplish your mission. And I can be this sure, because I know you. You'd search forever if you could. Good luck, my love.

Yours for eternity,

Jane C.

"Why have I never seen this?" thought Cora Wizard bitterly as she read the letter from over her son's shoulder. Broderick put a hand on Cora's arm, as if sensing her distress. Strangely, she relaxed, yet not remembering why. Glancing at Mr. Alexander, she backed away while her son reread the letter, his eyes wide. The room held a tense atmosphere, broken only when Jonah tore his eyes off the paper in his hand.

"The words that are underlined, they say 'We'll live forever.' What does that mean?" Jonah asked, knowing that Cahills never did anything without putting a clue in.

"As…improbable as it sounds, David Jones was searching for the Fountain of Youth. He had maps, graphs, you name it! He didn't find it, but we continue his search. Jane saw him worthy enough, so why shouldn't we? We want you to find the Fountain of Youth." The silence practically echoed in the room. "Thi-This is insane, yo, I don't-" Jonah breathed. He licked his dry lips. This was overwhelming. The memory of when he was in Venice appeared in his mind; he was as unsure now as he was then. He was chosen to find some Fountain of Youth that he doubted even existed. And- "How come no one's found this Fountain of Youth? Why me?" he blurted out.

"Do you accept?" Mr. Alexander asked sternly.

Insane.

This was all insane.

And yet there Jonah was, packing his bags to go off on another hunt. But the prize of this hunt seemed more of a legend than-than...well, the Cahill family itself. Jonah had believed the story of a guy whose name he didn't even know. Why did he believe him?

"Because I'm hoping its true," Jonas thought to himself. He stopped packing for a moment and sat down on the edge of his bed. With his head in his hands, he let the momentum of that realization sink in.

People say your real fame begins after you die. Why is that? Your not there to produce more, to create more of your work. That makes it rare. Rare makes it expensive. Expensive makes it famous. Simple, right? But it's more than that. Your work out-lives you. Sometimes genius takes time to be realized as what it is. But what if Jonas lived to see that? What if he never had to watch his name fade away?

"It never would," Jonas mused. "I wouldn't let it. To the Janus, I wouldn't be the kid who lost the clues, I'd be Jonah: the hero who gave the family immortality."

Visions of adoring crowds morphed into adoring crowds in futuristic clothing which morphed into adoring crowds in the Janus stronghold. All these faded away as the face of his mother, her face beaming in pride, surfaced in his mind's eye.

Whoa, wait. Who was he kidding? He couldn't even win the clue hunt alone-Wait! He didn't have to face this alone.

He still had Amy and Dan's number...